The Art & Culture Development Foundation to Create Artist Residencies in the Historical Part of Tashkent

Tashkent - 23 May 2022. Two locations were chosen to become new creative spaces. The first one is located in the Namuna mahalla, where the Matkarimba madrasah will be restored as a destination for emerging creatives with the historical and traditional architectural features will be restored and preserved. The second one is located in a former kindergarten in the Khast Imom mahalla. Both mahallas are located in the Olmazar district of the city of Tashkent. The implementation of this project is primarily related to the strengthening of state support for the sphere of culture and art and the development of projects to create a comfortable urban environment with an emphasis on respect and preservation of its authenticity.

What are artist residencies?
An artist residence is a platform for the exchange of experience, intercultural dialogue and the implementation of joint art projects. This format of cultural exchange contributes to the establishment of mutual understanding between different cultures. Artists, working in residences, learn the history and features of the host country.

Within its premises, all conditions for the life and work of the artist are available. The chosen artists are provided with everything they would require such as a creative workshop, materials and tools for work, as well as audiences with which to discuss the works brought to life during their stay at the residence.
The model of organising creativity within the framework of artist residencies has been gaining great popularity in the world over the past few years and has become an important step in the career of many artists seeking to break out of their local artistic environment and integrate into the international context. The participants communicate with their colleagues and critics. This is always a strong start for a young artist who has just completed his studies, and a good incentive for someone who wants active growth and movement.
The largest art residences in the world: Jan Van Eyck Academie (Maastricht, the Netherlands), Tabakalera (San Sebastian, Spain), Casa de Velázquez (Madrid, Spain), Scuola Internazionale di Grafica Venezia (Venice, Italy), Acme Studios (London, United Kingdom).
 
What will happen in Tashkent artist residencies?
Creative workshops, living quarters, exhibition space, a library and co-working will be organised. The design concept of the art residences will be developed by the Studio KO architectural bureau, taking into account world standards.

The workshops will provide the opportunity to work on professional equipment with the support of a team of technical specialists. They will have access to a variety of tools and materials for both traditional techniques and digital production. This space will allow for creativity, experimentation and dialogue between practitioners and the wider community.
Coworking space is a collaborative space where participants from different workshops can prepare their projects, make presentations and just chat. They will have at their disposal computers with installed software, upholstered furniture that creates comfort and a relaxed atmosphere, a library, a kitchen with vending machines.

Artist residencies in Tashkent will become an educational platform for the Centre for Contemporary Art in Tashkent, and a progressive art space. They will launch special programs for the professional development of artists. Lectures and creative workshops will also be held on a regular basis.

Residents are representatives of the creative industry who want to improve their skills, collaborate and continue their professional careers at the international level. Residents get access to all the resources of the art center. The program will be open to artists from all walks of life, including painting, sculpture, ceramics, textiles, new media, film, 3D printing, as well as curators and researchers. The main condition for participation in the art residence program is the idea of an interesting project and the desire to work in a new cultural space. Both local and foreign artists can become residents.
 
What are the goals of creating artist residencies in Tashkent?
The purpose of creating art residences in Tashkent is to support creative youth and professionals working in various disciplines, create a space with modern equipment and a favorable environment for the development of contemporary art and design practices rooted in the culture and traditions of Uzbekistan. It will be a platform for collaboration between domestic and international representatives of the creative class.
Other strategic goals for creating art residences:
-       Improving the creative infrastructure of the city
-       stimulating the development of creative industries in the Central Asian region
-       Expansion of networks and contacts for further creative cooperation
-       Uniting the interests of representatives of the creative class and citizens, in order to popularize creativity among all segments of the population
-       Preservation of the individuality of the cultural environment of Tashkent
-       Creation of new jobs
-       Development of cultural tourism
-       Improving the competitiveness of the creative industry
-       Creation of favorable conditions for "creative life"
-       Attraction of investments